Courthouse
• 100 years ago, Toccoa life bustled around a brand new courthouse. Construction on the 15,000 sq. ft. building was designed neo-classical popular in the early 20th century.
• In early 2007, work began to restore the structure as close as possible to the original condition by the Stephens County Historic Courthouse Restoration Authority. Plans include using the second floor courtroom as it was originally intended, with court being held in the open room and offices for the county clerk, administrator, finance director and human resources on the first floor. Offices for the county marshal and facilites manager are planned for the second floor.
• Although the rumored underground tunnel, said to be used to transport prisoners from the train depot to the courthouse has not been found, a shaft running from the judges bench on the second floor to the basement was found.
Currahee Club
• 1,200 acre, 800 home community in Toccoa, GA featuring dramatic views of four states, three miles of shoreline along Lake Hartwell and a stunning 18-hole Jim Fazzio designed golf course. The community is designed for both primary and secondary residences.
• “#48 of the top 100 residential courses in the US” – Golfweek, October 2007
• “Best of the Mountains and # 1 in Best Lake Living category” – Mountain Homes, September 2007
• “One of the 100 Premier Properties in the US” – Links, November 2007
• “Ranked #12 in the best 100 new courses in the nation” – Golfweek, October 2006
• “Top 20 courses in Georgia” – Golf Digest, May 2005
• “One of the top 50 regional waterfront communities” – CL Registry, May 2008
Currahee Military Museum
• The Stephens County Historical Society maintains a county and military museum in the renovated train depot downtown. Call 706-282-5055.
• The Military Museum is devoted to the soldiers who trained at Camp Toccoa, including the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Easy Company, made famous for their heroic actions during WWII by the HBO series the Band of Brothers.
• The Museum contains a stable that was used to house the soldiers during their stay in Aldbourne, England. The stable was taken apart, flown to the U.S. and reassembled in 2005 and furnished to replicate authentic living conditions.
Currahee Mountain and Camp Toccoa
• Currahee is a Cherokee word that means “stands alone” and is a fitting name for the last mountain in the Blue Ridge chain. Currahee Mountain was selected as the site for the first Parachute Infantry Training Center during WWII. Camp Toccoa was formed at the foot of the mountain and became home to the 506th, 501st, 511th, and 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments of the 101st Airborne Division.
• As part of their training, soldiers were required to run a grueling three miles up and three miles down the 900ft mountain. The paratroopers used “Currahee” as their jump cry and the regiment soon became knows as the Currahees. They earned a place in history as they parachuted into Normandy hours before the D-Day invasion, leading the allied counter-offensive at the Battle of the Buldge.
• Today, several monuments stand at the entrance of the old base to honor the troopers who trained there. The Currahee Challenge trail run/walk is held every October and is a 1 mile, 3 mile or 3 miles up and 3 miles down fitness event.
Lake Hartwell
• Lake Hartwell is one of the largest man-made lakes east of the Mississippi and is called the Great Lake of the South. It is a man-made lake bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. The lake is created by Hartwell Dam located on the Savannah River seven miles below the point at which the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers join to form the Savannah. Extending 49 miles up the Tugaloo and 45 miles up the Seneca at normal pool elevation, Hartwell Lake comprises nearly 56,000 acres of water with a shoreline of 962 miles.
• There are five public recreation areas in Stephens County that have boat ramps for access to the lake and are great spots for picnics: Stephens County Recreation Area, Spring Branch, Jenkins Ferry, Bruce Creek and Holcomb Access.
Toccoa Falls
• This beautiful waterfall on the campus of Toccoa Falls College is 186 feet high.
• Access to the falls is through the campus gift shop seven days a week. Call 706-886-6831.
• In 1977, torrential rains breached the dam separating Kelly Barnes Lake from the falls and a 30-ft wave of water roared through the campus killing 39 people.
Traveler’s Rest
• Built in 1815 by James Wyly to accommodate travelers using the Unicoi Turnpike.
• In 1833, it was expanded to include a plantation, cotton gin, blacksmith, gristmill, post office, sawmill, tavern and country store. Near the inn was a gold mine, ferry and toll road.
• In 1955, land was sold to the state and a historic site was created. Call 706-886-2256.
Tugaloo Corridor
• Begins on the south end of US Highway 123 at the Broken Bridges and extends north into Habersham County to Tallulah Gorge and includes and area across the river in Oconee County, S.C.
• Rich in Cherokee history, boasting the location of the first major contact between Europeans and Cherokees and the Tugaloo Mound, which was known as the capital of the Cherokee Nation in 1715. When the site was excavated in the 1950’s, it yielded several archeological treasures, including the body of an important Cherokee chief.
• The Stephens County Foundation is working to preserve the area and would like to build an educational and interpretive center on the sote of the Estatoe Village and restore Prather Bridge.
Panther Creek Trail
• This trail was named a top 100 favorite in the US and best in the southeast by Backpacker Magazine’s reader 1998 choice awards.
• It is a 5.5 mile point to point – the western end starts in Habersham County at the Panther Creek Recreation Area off of Historic Hwy. 441 and ends in Stephens County on a dirt road off of Yonah Dam road. Most hike in to the 70 ft Panther Creek Falls and then hike back out. The deep plunge pool is ideal for a refreshing swim after the long hike.
• The trail includes challenging obstacles and magnificent views. A portion is a Protected Botanical Area by the U.S. Forest Service.
Paul Anderson Park
• Paul Anderson is known for his outstanding and still unbeaten Olympic achievements including a 1956 Olympic gold metal, U.S. World and Weightlifting Championships, 19 American records, 9 world records, Georgia state and U.S. Senate tributes and U.S. Presidential Awards. Anderson is also in the Buinnes Book of World Records for his 1957 back lift on 6,270 pounds.
• Often referred to as “the greater strength” was Paul’s Christian commitment to troubled youth. His legacy continues to be the establishment of the Paul Anderson Youth Home rehabilitation facility for young people who would otherwise be confined to penal institutions.
• In 1999, a group of 4th graders petitioned the City Commission to rename a city park after Paul Anderson. An all volunteer Paul Anderson Memorial Park Foundation was formed in 2000 to spearhead the design and fundraising efforts to make the dream a reality. Contact eghodges@alltel.net.
Yonah Dam/Lake
• Completed in 1925, 900 ft long, 75 feet high, creates 320-acre storage lake.
• The dam is the lowest of six power developments that channel the waters of the Tallulah, Chattooga and Tugaloo Rivers into usable energy.
• Follow Prather Bridger Road to Yonah Dam Road and look for the boat ramps and parking in the recreation area.
